definitions

actuate

[ ak-choo-eyt ]
/ ˈæk tʃuˌeɪt /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR actuate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ac·tu·at·ed, ac·tu·at·ing.

to incite or move to action; impel; motivate: actuated by selfish motives.
to put into action; start a process; turn on: to actuate a machine.

RELATED WORDS

activate, prompt, inspire, propel, move, influence, arouse, animate, quicken, incite, motivate, cause, instigate, excite, induce, rouse, spur, energize, drive, impel

Nearby words

actualization, actualize, actually, actuals, actuary, actuate, actuator, actus reus, acuate, acuff, acuity

Origin of actuate

1590–1600; < Medieval Latin āctuāt(us) reduced to action (past participle of āctuāre), equivalent to Latin āctu(s) (see act) + -ātus -ate1

Related forms

ac·tu·a·tion, nounde·ac·tu·ate, verb (used with object), de·ac·tu·at·ed, de·ac·tu·at·ing.self-ac·tu·at·ing, adjectiveun·ac·tu·at·ed, adjective

Can be confused

activate actuate stimulate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for actuate

British Dictionary definitions for actuate

actuate

/ (ˈæktʃʊˌeɪt) /

verb (tr)

to put into action or mechanical motion
to motivate or incite into actionactuated by unworthy desires

Derived Forms

actuation, nounactuator, noun

Word Origin for actuate

C16: from Medieval Latin actuātus, from actuāre to incite to action, from Latin āctus act
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012